Curfew in Kashmir after deadly clash with police

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Authorities imposed a curfew in parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Thursday to try to quell violent protests over an alleged fatal paramilitary shooting in the disputed territory.

Separatists also called for people to stay indoors Thursday, but for a general strike to protest the killing.

Shopian District Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bhat said the man was killed Wednesday when paramilitary forces fired pellets at protesters. Residents insist the troops were firing bullets at the crowd protesting near a police camp in Shopian district, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the territory’s main city of Srinagar.

The paramilitary denied any role in the shooting.

“Our men were not deployed in the area,” said the paramilitary inspector general, Nalin Prabhat.

After the shooting, hundreds of residents hurled stones, shouted anti-India slogans and demanded the police camp be dismantled. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds.

Shopian has been tense since Saturday, when paramilitary forces killed four men who residents insisted were civilians. The paramilitary said two of the four were suspected militants who had opened fire on the police camp.

Anti-India feelings run deep in Kashmir, where about a dozen rebel groups have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989.

More than 68,000 people have been killed in the conflict, though rebel groups have largely been suppressed and resistance is now mainly shown through street protests.